18 October 2016

2016 College Football Predictions: Week 8

(AP Photo)

The fun never stops in the world of college football and that will only continue this week, including with some quality action down in the SEC. Who will win this week? It's time for my Week 8 predictions.

Thursday, October 20th
Miami vs. Virginia Tech - ESPN, 7:00
The Hokies got stunned on Saturday in Syracuse but as we know, the Carrier Dome is not an easy place to play at. While the Canes are sliding, I like Virginia Tech to get back on track here in Blacksburg.
Pick: Virginia Tech

Troy vs. South Alabama - ESPNU, 7:30
Pick: Troy

BYU vs. 14 Boise State - ESPN, 10:15
BYU has looked better than their record indicates because they've been in every game. But Boise State looks really good right now and they're at home here.
Pick: Boise State

San Jose State vs. San Diego State - ESPN2, 10:30
Pick: San Diego State

Saturday, October 22nd
NC State vs. 7 Louisville - ABC, 12:00
The Wolfpack have been game all season but this would take one hell of an effort.
Pick: Louisville

10 Wisconsin vs. Iowa - ESPN, 12:00
The Badgers have lost two in a row but both were competitive against two really good teams in Michigan and Ohio State. They'll get back on track here in Iowa City.
Pick: Wisconsin

Central Michigan vs. Toledo - BCSN, 12:00
The Chippewas are good but I have not seen enough out of them yet to see them going into Toledo and taking out the Rockets.
Pick: Toledo

Miami (OH) vs. Bowling Green - ESPN3, 12:00
Pick: Bowling Green

Syracuse vs. Boston College - ACC Network, 12:30
The Orange cranked out a strong upset performance against Virginia Tech but they seemed primed for an upset here at the hands of Boston College.
Pick: Boston College

Colorado vs. Stanford - Pac-12 Networks, 3:00
The Cardinal don't lose at home often but this team has lacked what they call oomph and their offense has been awful at times. Colorado looked quite good against Arizona State, albeit at home, and I like them here.
Pick: Colorado

Akron vs. Ball State - ESPN3, 3:00
Pick: Ball State

6 Texas A&M vs. 1 Alabama - CBS, 3:30
The Crimson Tide continue to look awesome after they went into Knoxville and smashed the Volunteers. Even against another good team in Texas A&M, I like them to win big again in Tuscaloosa.
Pick: Alabama

Purdue vs. 8 Nebraska - ABC/ESPN2, 3:30
Pick: Nebraska

TCU vs. 12 West Virginia - ABC/ESPN2, 3:30
No defense needed here. Fortunately for the Mountaineers, they have been good defensively while the Horned Frogs have been a mess. I like the home team here.
Pick: West Virginia

Illinois vs. 3 Michigan - BTN, 3:30
Pick: Michigan

Memphis vs. 24 Navy - CBS Sports Network, 3:30
This is a huge game for a friends in the American Athletic Conference. Memphis is ostensibly favored but I like their offense can be held at bay just enough by the option attack of the Middies.
Pick: Navy

Eastern Michigan vs. Western Michigan - American Sports Network, 3:30
Western Michigan should not sleep on Eastern Michigan as the Eagles have looked good, albeit with some luck. But the Broncos ate much too good, quite frankly.
Pick: Western Michigan

Idaho vs. Appalachian State - ESPN, 3:30
Pick: Appalachian State

Buffalo vs. Northern Illinois - ESPN3, 3:30
Pick: Northern Illinois

Tennessee-Martin vs. Georgia State - ESPN3, 3:30
Pick: Georgia State

Prairie View A&M vs. Rice - 3:30
Pick: Prairie View A&M

Tulane vs. Tulsa - ESPNU, 3:45
Pick: Tulsa

Utah vs. UCLA - Fox, 4:00
The Utes have been going through a number of close calls of late and I think that will be the difference here against an UCLA club that needs a big win.
Pick: UCLA

Middle Tennessee vs. Missouri - SEC Network, 4:00
Pick: Missouri

Charlotte vs. Marshall - beIN Sports, 5:30
Pick: Marshall

Colorado State vs. UNLV - Root Sports, 5:30
Pick: UNLV

17 Arkansas vs. 21 Auburn - ESPN, 6:00
Both teams come into this game playing well with Auburn winning three in a row and Arkansas cranking out a nice comeback against Ole Miss. But I have been rather impressed in what we have seen defensively out of the Tigers and I think that'll be a key difference.
Pick: Auburn

Mississippi State vs. Kentucky - SEC Network, 7:30
The Aggies have been a disappointment this season and I think at home, after a solid victory two weeks ago against Vanderbilt, I like Kentucky.
Pick: Kentucky

Michigan State vs. Maryland - BTN, 7:30
Michigan State has been a big league disappointment this season but after a 4-0 start, the Terrapins have looked bad these past two weeks. I like the Spartans here in College Park.
Pick: Michigan State

2 Ohio State vs. Penn State - ABC, 8:00
The Nittany Lions have looked good after getting blasted in Ann Arbor but Ohio State is much too good to be upset here.
Pick: Ohio State

23 Ole Miss vs. 25 LSU - ESPN, 9:00
These collapses are not becoming common for the Rebels and it's a problem. Going into Death Valley under the lights, I would bet on Ole Miss to fall here.
Pick: LSU

Louisiana-Monroe vs. New Mexico - Root Sports, 9:00
Pick: New Mexico

Washington State vs. Arizona State - Pac-12 Networks, 10:00
If Arizona State could stop anybody defensively, I'd perhaps go with the upset. That said, Mike Leach will cook up another big road victory.
Pick: Washington State